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DNA Testing for weight loss and well being – now available at New Leaf

Discover your Genetic Profile

There are so many diets out there – giving up carbs, only consuming soups or juices, cutting out sugar etc. But there is no one definitive diet that suits everybody, because everybody is different. Our qualified expert nutritionist Shay Kearney is now offering DNA testing in Kanturk and Charleville. The test is used to generate unique dietary plans to suit the individual. DNA testing used in this fashion was originally developed and used in the training regime of Olympian athletes and is very effective and scientifically based.

If you would like to make an appointment for a DNA test you can do so in the Kanturk or Charleville branches of New Leaf, ring Kanturk 029 51922 or Charleville 063 30015 or email info@newleafonline.ie

DNA testing is non-intrusive and you will receive a detailed and personalised report with recommendations for weight-loss and well being. This test costs €350 – that includes two consultations with Shay.

What will I discover from the DNA test report

The DNA report that you will receive will include the following genetic and lifestyle analysis;

Whether you over-absorb sugars and fats.

Not being able to lose fat with exercise.

Your stress levels causing fat formation.

How you are craving foods causing weight gain.

Any genetic predispositions in becoming pre-diabetic and putting on weight.

Sluggish removal of toxins causing weight gain.

You will receive;

A gene based dietary advice and eating plan.

A gene based exercise plan

Requirements for nutritional supplementation, where required

The diagram below is just an example of the simplicity of the information as presented to the client.

Sugar or fat over-absorption

A consultation with nutritionist Shay Kearney

How do your genes affect weight gain?

Shay will test your DNA to see how you process sugars and fats which, depending on your genetic predispositions, leads to fat formation.

Follow the numbered pathway in the diagram to see how sugar or fat over-absorption leads to weight gain and obesity:

The brain sends a message to the stomach that tells us we are hungry. It may send us a message to say that we are particularly hungry for sugar or for fats.

The body may over-absorb either sugars (glucose) or fats (fatty acids) from the stomach. This results in too much sugar or fat in the blood.

The excess glucose and fatty acids need to be removed from the blood and for the most part get stored in fat. The fat stores enlarge.

If we do not have the right receptor, then we can’t release the fat from the fat stores into the blood to make energy. As a result, the fat stores grow bigger and bigger.

Which genes are tested?

Fat and Obesity (FTO) is expressed throughout the body and particularly in the brain and in fat. It plays a role in appetite regulation and weight gain. FTO is a protein that is associated with fat mass and obesity in both adults and children.

The Apolipoprotein A 2 (APOA2) gene is involved in poor fat absorption.

APOE is the fatty acid transporter that is active in transporting cholesterol healthily into the brain. It is inhibited by sugars and assisted by healthy fats in the diet. People who have the weakened gene can hugely reduce their risk of brain damage by eating healthily and adding brain supplements.

COMT Val58Met (COMt) is the gene that oversees methylation in the body. Methylation is a process that helps the thyroid gland func on, helps the brain function and is an essential pathway of detoxification in the liver.

Methyl tetrahydrofolate (MTHFR) is the active form of folate and is a central cog in the methylation pathway.

GST Glutathione transferase Glutathione is one of the body’s most powerful cleansers and detoxifying systems. It is found in the brain, the liver and most cells in the body. Glutathione s-transferase (GST) is the enzyme that brings glutathione and the toxins together to remove them from the system. We measure GST to assess the activity of the entire glutathione detoxification system. We measure the most useful two, which are GSTM1 and GSTT1.

PPARgamma (PPARG) is the “Thrifty gene”. It was called this because it helps us store fat into fat cells and survive the winter. It does this by working on both fatty acids and glucose in the blood and pushing them into fat cells. As a result, in times of plenty, PPARG can cause obesity if we consume too much fat or too much sugar in our diet.

TNF alpha 308 (TNFa) is the inflammatory marker released by fat that causes artery inflammation and diabetes. This inflammation of arteries makes it difficult to store glucose, resulting in insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity.

Melanocortin 4 (MC4R) is associated with hunger. Studies show that MC4R is associated with obesity and increased body mass index.

Fatty Acid Binding Protein 2 (FABP2) influences fat absorption and glucose regulation. FABP2 is an important gene marker which codes not only for the over-absorption of fats, but for a risk of diabetes as well as it has also been shown to be a risk factor for high cholesterol levels.

ADBR2 Gly16 (ADBR2 16) is the second Beta Adreno Receptor (ADBR2) gene. This gene is particularly important in unlocking fat cells to release fat for energy.

The Alpha actinin 3 (ACTN3) gene is particularly important in helping muscle fibres to twitch quickly.

If you would like to find out more or make an appointment for a DNA test you can do so in the Kanturk or Charleville branches of New Leaf, ring Kanturk 029 51922 or Charleville 063 30015 or email info@newleafonline.ie